Nissan 370Z Forum  

Getting the dealership run-around on test driving

Originally Posted by Jack370Z Years ago when I mustered out of the US Coast Guard in Mobile, AL I went to buy a new VW. Well, I was 21 yrs

Go Back   Nissan 370Z Forum > Nissan 370Z General Area > Nissan 370Z General Discussions


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-20-2012, 04:24 PM   #76 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
onzedge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Battle Lake MN
Age: 64
Posts: 183,964
Drives: 370Z 240Z
Rep Power: 2684736
onzedge has a reputation beyond reputeonzedge has a reputation beyond reputeonzedge has a reputation beyond reputeonzedge has a reputation beyond reputeonzedge has a reputation beyond reputeonzedge has a reputation beyond reputeonzedge has a reputation beyond reputeonzedge has a reputation beyond reputeonzedge has a reputation beyond reputeonzedge has a reputation beyond reputeonzedge has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack370Z View Post
Years ago when I mustered out of the US Coast Guard in Mobile, AL I went to buy a new VW. Well, I was 21 yrs old wearing flip flops, cut offs and a t-shirt. When I walked into the showroom no one even looked up so I asked "do you have any other colors". One sales guy finally said something about more out back. I went back there and picked out one. Went back to the showroom and said "I'll take the orange one". At that point they all looked up and I looked at the guy that sent me "out back" and said, again, "I'll take the orange one". He said did I plan on financing...I said "no" and pulled out a wad of cash. The other sales guys heads all fell down (chin on chest) and I smiled. Paid cash and drove it home. I really wish I had gone to the GM and asked him to help me. You just never know until you qualify a person. They just might have a pocket full on money. For as far as my Z they asked if I was planning on paying cash...I said no and handed the guy my AMEX card. They panicked...lol.
__________________
Koni|Swift|Michelin|Motordyne|Berk|RJM Performance|Gates|SPL|Motul|Technafit|Ate Super Blue|Hawk
Tommy Kaira|Momo|Optima|Hella|Hotchkis|Red Line|ZSpeed|Stillen|B&M|H&R
onzedge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2012, 07:54 PM   #77 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Austin
Posts: 14,196
Drives: 2016 Mazda 6
Rep Power: 211844
Pintsize725 has a reputation beyond reputePintsize725 has a reputation beyond reputePintsize725 has a reputation beyond reputePintsize725 has a reputation beyond reputePintsize725 has a reputation beyond reputePintsize725 has a reputation beyond reputePintsize725 has a reputation beyond reputePintsize725 has a reputation beyond reputePintsize725 has a reputation beyond reputePintsize725 has a reputation beyond reputePintsize725 has a reputation beyond repute
Default

When I first started shopping around for a used Z, the salesman laughed when I told him I wouldn't take anything else. He tried to force an Altima coupe on me stating that "with the new engine, it's like having a V6. And FWD is what you want." I didn't back down and at the end of our conversation he said "I don't want to sell you a car that you are going to be street racing in and causing trouble." I am 25 and I guess due to my height I look like I'm younger.
Pintsize725 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2012, 08:15 PM   #78 (permalink)
Base Member
 
AreJay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Norco
Posts: 179
Drives: 11 Nissan 370z M6
Rep Power: 13
AreJay is on a distinguished road
Default

I'm 22 and the first thing they did was ask for a test drive. I didn't even know how to drive a standard and salesmen took me to the park and taught me in the brand spanking new Z with 80 miles lol. I stalled out a few times. But in the end I bought that same Z.
AreJay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2012, 09:24 PM   #79 (permalink)
Base Member
 
r1eater's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Saint Town Texas
Posts: 72
Drives: 40th 370z
Rep Power: 13
r1eater is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by m4a1mustang View Post
How were you dressed?

I find it hard to believe they would deny a test drive on a 370 just because you look young.
happens to me all the time, I'm in my mid 30's but look like mid to early 20's. Its a blessing and a curse sometimes...
r1eater is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2012, 11:41 PM   #80 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Polymorphic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 51
Drives: 370z GM 6MT
Rep Power: 13
Polymorphic is on a distinguished road
Default

That's complete B.S. I'm 24 and look like I'm 18, I just bought my z yesterday. I went over to the dealership about a month ago for a test drive, told the salesman I wanted to test drive a Z and he replied, "Let's go for a ride". You should have just approached a different salesman at the dealership and talked to them about the z.
Polymorphic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2012, 11:43 PM   #81 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Polymorphic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 51
Drives: 370z GM 6MT
Rep Power: 13
Polymorphic is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pintsize725 View Post
When I first started shopping around for a used Z, the salesman laughed when I told him I wouldn't take anything else. He tried to force an Altima coupe on me stating that "with the new engine, it's like having a V6. And FWD is what you want." I didn't back down and at the end of our conversation he said "I don't want to sell you a car that you are going to be street racing in and causing trouble." I am 25 and I guess due to my height I look like I'm younger.
Haha they tried to force the new altima on me too. I said sure, give me a manual transmission and I'll take it. (knowing full well it only comes auto)
Polymorphic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2012, 12:11 AM   #82 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: austin
Posts: 12
Drives: 10 Nissan 370z MT6
Rep Power: 13
aamador521 is on a distinguished road
Default

I'm 20 and I've test driven by myself like 7 cars total. 2011 v6 mustang, 2011 5.0 mustang x2, camaro rs, camaro ss, 370z and 350z. But I had the same thing happen to me. I was really pissed. My usual bit is to come in with a nicer car/my old clean 06 mustang and just ask to "look at the inside and engine of a car." or that I've been "reading up on the blank." But I messed up with this guy. I come in and tell him I didn't want to buy I just wanted to look at the inside of the car. That is ALL I ASKED! I didn't even ask to test drive. He basically told me, "ooh, how old are you? yeah we usually don't let younger people test drive because they rack up the miles of the car." then he tried being really enthusiastic about how well ford is doing and blah blah blah. I ended up just walking away after someone asked him a question. That's why I decided I'd never buy from him. I still have all of their business cards because the ones who let me test drive treated me extremely well. Whatever car I decide later, I'll buy from them. but i guess I haven't proven them wrong because I have never purchased, though now I'm in a position to.
aamador521 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2012, 02:06 AM   #83 (permalink)
Base Member
 
DYNAZOR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 152
Drives: '15 370Z Solid Red
Rep Power: 13
DYNAZOR will become famous soon enoughDYNAZOR will become famous soon enough
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack370Z View Post
Years ago when I mustered out of the US Coast Guard in Mobile, AL I went to buy a new VW. Well, I was 21 yrs old wearing flip flops, cut offs and a t-shirt. When I walked into the showroom no one even looked up so I asked.......... You just never know until you qualify a person. They just might have a pocket full on money. For as far as my Z they asked if I was planning on paying cash...I said no and handed the guy my AMEX card. They panicked...lol.
I have a similar story. When I was about 35 I was interested in buying a new Corvette. One cold, sleety day at the beginning of winter of '86 I went to a local Chevy dealer to see if I could make a deal on a new '87 coupe. I was dressed according to the day's weather, i.e. faded jeans, ratty winter coat, and the same type of work boots I wore when I used to drive a truck (at this time I was a technical support engineer for Sony). The dealer had a convertible on the floor, same color as what I wanted in the coupe. I walked right to the 'Vette and walked around it, checking things out for a few minutes, and not a single salesman acknowledged my presence despite every one of them looking at me when i walked through the door. They quickly went back to reading their newspaper or whatever (it was a very slow day due to the crappy weather). Finally, one salesman came up and asked if I had any questions he could answer for me. I told him I was ready to buy if they came up with the right price. This salesman was a tall, thin, near-the-end-of-middle-age black man named Wally, the only non-white person in the place. We retreated to Wally's cubical and after about 30 minutes and several trips to the sales manager's office I wrote aout a check for $1,000 to order the car I wanted. The other salemen who neglected me were watching me like hawks writing out that check, in total disbelief. After making the deal Wally confided to me that he had been laid off at another dealer and was at this dealer for only 2 weeks and had not sold a single car until I came in, and he said it with a big grin on his face while his hands were shaking.

I guess reading the newspaper on a cold wet day and whatever was more important to the other salesmen then tossing me a simple "Hi, can I help you with something" when I came in.
DYNAZOR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2012, 04:17 AM   #84 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
ImportConvert's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SWMO
Posts: 4,454
Drives: 2019 CX5 GT Reserve
Rep Power: 7627
ImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond reputeImportConvert has a reputation beyond repute
Default

I met with a bit of resistance at one dealership (we have to local GM dealers) when shopping for my new Z06 at age 24. However, one dealership took me serious, and I bought from them. I was treated with respect the whole way through the process. It was a very positive experience.
ImportConvert is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2012, 10:37 PM   #85 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 29
Drives: sunfire gt
Rep Power: 13
HeRo1 is on a distinguished road
Default

I am 19. I went today to a Nissan dealership (1 1/2 hour drive) to check out their 370z. I got there after they was closed but only by like 10 minutes so there was still salesmen outside talking. As soon as i got out of my mother's altima a guy came up to me. He asked me what i was looking for and i said the 370z right out front. He took me over to it and i started looking at it. Walking around. Checking out the sticker price and everything of course. As i was talking to him it was obvious he did not know the car. I asked him how much it was. he says 37,000. It was a 2011 6MT sports package. I found that out my the sticker. He did not have a clue what it was, besides the fact that it was a 2011 coupe. Because i showed up late i couldnt check the interior or anything. But as i was leaving i said id come back to look it over some more. He immediately said alright and that next time i come we can take it out for a drive. I honestly believe your appearance and what you drive into the dealership with is what sets it all for them. I wasnt wearing anything nice, but nothing rough either. It astounded me after reading all this that he acted pleased to let me drive the car. Of course i made it apparent that the car was for me. I never mentioned money as an issue or anything. But of course im not going to pay 37000 for it as the new 2012 sport package is right around that dollar price. Also, if you live in or close to london, ky. They are having a sale that all cars go for invoice and any rebates they have going on.
HeRo1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2012, 11:15 PM   #86 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
LakeShow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: L.I., NY
Posts: 5,307
Drives: Everything
Rep Power: 25
LakeShow is a splendid one to beholdLakeShow is a splendid one to beholdLakeShow is a splendid one to beholdLakeShow is a splendid one to beholdLakeShow is a splendid one to beholdLakeShow is a splendid one to beholdLakeShow is a splendid one to beholdLakeShow is a splendid one to behold
Default

Every dealership/salesman is different. One dealer wouldn't let me test drive 1 of the 5 Z's they had on the lot outside while I went to another and they pulled their only Z a 49k roadster off the showroom floor just for me to test drive. Some places judge, while other places take every customer seriously.
__________________
|2013 Audi S4|Ibis White/Black|S-Tronic P+|
|2013 370z|PearlWhite/Persimmon|Touring/Sport/Nav|F.I. CBE 18" CF|
|Sold|2011 370z|Gun Metallic|Touring/Sport/Nav|
LakeShow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2012, 09:28 AM   #87 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
dropped1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: VA Beach
Posts: 302
Drives: SOLD 40th Z #104
Rep Power: 258
dropped1 has a reputation beyond reputedropped1 has a reputation beyond reputedropped1 has a reputation beyond reputedropped1 has a reputation beyond reputedropped1 has a reputation beyond reputedropped1 has a reputation beyond reputedropped1 has a reputation beyond reputedropped1 has a reputation beyond reputedropped1 has a reputation beyond reputedropped1 has a reputation beyond reputedropped1 has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Depends on what you drive to the dealership

I purposely took my 96 Honda Civic beater to the dealers when I was truck shopping instead of the Z. Makes for a more comfortable car browsing experience, without being attacked from all angles by every sales person in the lot.
dropped1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2012, 09:39 AM   #88 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Maryland
Posts: 373
Drives: 2009 Nissan 370Z
Rep Power: 13
bjblackout will become famous soon enough
Default

Find a new dealer. I would not buy a car from a dealer that would not allow me to test drive the car I am buying. That is foolish!!!
bjblackout is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2012, 02:23 PM   #89 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
houkouonchi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 440
Drives: '14 GT-R '10 M6 370z
Rep Power: 15
houkouonchi has a spectacular aura abouthoukouonchi has a spectacular aura about
Default

Me and my dad both test drove a 370z. Probably helped quite a bit that we drove up in a 350z =). Honestly the dealership was kind of an *** though and it just so happened one of the next closest ones had the exact Z I wanted (only one within 300 miles) and honestly their service department and everything is way better so ended up working out (i always go to my home dealership for servicing as well).

I knew I wanted the 370z even without a second test drive (even though it had been months). I didn't even bother going into the dealership though. I told them I was serious and directly got the sale manager's email address and emailed him the configuration I wanted and asked for a quote. He was very reluctant to give me a quote but kind of said in talking on the phone later about how much he would be ok with. It was a little over invoice but the configuration was extremely rare so I jumped on it.

I basically had the car all setup to buy so by the time I finally went in the dealer all i did pretty much was go through the paper work. They actually did make me test drive the actual car though before completing everything even though I told them I had already test driven it and knew it was what I wanted. Also the one I got had all of like 6 miles on it so I wasn't worried of it being abused by test-drivers.

I am 26 btw.
houkouonchi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2012, 02:41 PM   #90 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Somberlaine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Fairfax, VA
Posts: 242
Drives: 2016 Golf R
Rep Power: 14
Somberlaine is on a distinguished road
Default

same happened to me...they pulled that same ole BS: "people on the market for this type of car wouldn't buy a car with a high mileage." the car had 12 miles. crossed them off my list that very day.
Somberlaine is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Test Driving a 370z MVPTonyD Nissan 370Z General Discussions 28 10-12-2016 09:49 AM
Test Driving 911s Nikon FM Other Vehicles 0 06-30-2011 12:09 AM
bought! but before driving off dealership.. gvd New Nismo 370Z Owner 20 09-20-2010 03:55 PM
Test Driving? shadyDR Nissan 370Z General Discussions 19 06-05-2009 12:50 AM
Weekend of test driving theDreamer Nissan 370Z General Discussions 6 03-22-2009 10:48 AM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:50 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2